WITH THANKS TO The Age of Stupid for the explanation of crowd-funding, as presented on its website.
Why are you crowd-funding the film?
The usual way to raise the budget for a feature documentary is from organisations like The Film Council or from Film Four or from TV broadcasters like the BBC or Channel 4. But there’s a major drawback. If a broadcaster commissions you to make a film, it is basically their film. They own most or all the copyright. And whoever owns the rights gets to decide how the film is distributed.
But by crowd-funding A Minority Pastime we control 100% of the copyright allowing us to distribute the film as far and wide as our imaginations allow. For example, as Franny Armstrong made McLibel independently she owned 100% of the rights. She can sign whatever distribution deals she wants whenever she please. Meaning 25 million people have now seen it on TV, internet and cable, and at colleges, film festivals and cinema.
Funding the film independently has three main advantages:
■ We can say what we need to say and not have to water down the film’s
message because some commissioning editor is worried about advertising
revenues
■ We will control 100% of the copyright, allowing us to distribute the film as
far and wide as our imaginations allow.
■ All profits will be shared amongst the people who funded it, the people who
made it, the people who thought of it and the people who put their lives into it.
How much will the film cost and how much is needed for distribution?
Our budget is £50,000. For this we can produce a High Definition digital master compatible with cinema, TV and DVD distribution. It’s possible for such a low figure because we have most of the equipment and skills in-house, the material and locations are nearby and we’re getting a lot of support from people passionate about the issues.
How can I contribute?
Go to the donate page and sign up now.
